Chinese racewalker Liu sets new Asian record

BEIJING -- Olympic champion racewalker Liu Hong of China lowered her own women's 35km Asian record at the 62nd All Japan Race Walk in Wajima, Japan, according to the Chinese Athletics Association.

Liu, who turns 36 next month, clocked two hours, 38 minutes and 42 seconds to finish first and register a new Asian mark, breaking her previous record of 2:40:06 set at Dudinska in Dudince, Slovakia on March 25.

Liu's new Asian record was less than one minute behind the world record of 2:37:44 set by Peru's Gabriela Kimberly Garcia Leon.

After the race, Liu stated on social media, "I have refreshed the Asian record once again, the world record is not too far away now."

According to Liu's husband and coach Liu Xue, Liu did not face many challenges from her opponents in the race and led the way most of the time. "The wind was strong on the track, which made the race more challenging. For her, this race was not the best opportunity to break the world record," the coach said.

The event in Japan was Liu's fourth race over the last seven weeks. Liu's coach planned to schedule her a six-week adjustment period in the preparations for summer training and the World Championships.